LANDAN!

Alright, chaps! I'm back from London.
Yeah, I went there. Forgot to say.
Went to see a play by Rikki Beadle-Blair, my course director from National Youth Theatre, who is a legend. He wrote, designed, directed AND acted in it along with other members of his theatre group, Team Angelica.
When I first found out it was 'Theatre in Education' (TIE), I did have a cringe moment.
I have sat through many an assembly when a bunch of preachy actors have tried to be down wid da bredren and appeal to us not to smoke...binge drink...have unprotected sex...become mass murderers...become pimps...become druggies or drug dealers...gamble...dabble in the illegal toxic waste trade...download illegal software...
But this was excellent. Seven actors, including Rikki as the teacher, playing a street-dance troupe in a college, tackling the issue of homophobia.
It seemed edgy and dangerous even with the required lack of swears, the acting was fantastic (as I have come to expect of Team Angelica) and the script was typical cynical Rikki, but in a way completely reinvented.
Comedy and angst were like peanut butter and chocolate in there. They actually worked together.
One of the best bits, though, was the hot-seating. There was some really good maintainance of character, especially from the lads who played overly-macho, unrestrainedly cruel and homophobic Isaac and his closeted gay best friend Ryan who made up for his hidden true sexuality by joining Isaac with a little too much gusto.
I would love to make a documentary on Team Angelica for one of my majors. There's so much material to delve into. I could use clips from Rikki's award-winning film 'Souljah', footage of rehearsals, interviews with Rikki, the cast, Rikki's Mum, Rikki's brother, audience members, other members of NYT that he taught...
God, it's all too exciting. Bet you anything that Rikki's way too busy to do any of that though.
Upto about 1770 words in my essay now, and just realising I don't have enough quotes.
Library trip tomorrow, methinks.
Oh, and apparently, the new film's all edited and looks amazing. Gutted I wasn't there, but hopefully I'll get to see it on Monday.

Laters!
x